Members of the Bracken Control Group are to submit an application for a national Emergency Authorisation in a bid to ensure Asulam is available for bracken control in the UK next year (2013).
In 2011, Asulam was banned across the EU, principally due to concerns over its use on Spinach. By 31st December 2012 all unused stock must have been returned to the manufacturer or destroyed by an authorized company.
At a key meeting last week in Manchester, United Phosphorus Limited (license holder for Asulam product, Asulox) reiterated its commitment to applying for a new EU-wide authorization.
This is a timely process, however, and following guidance from the Chemicals Regulation Directorate on how to apply for a temporary Emergency Authorisation, members of the Bracken Control Group decided it would pursue this course in the hope it secures Asulox stocks for bracken control in 2013.
Simon Thorp, Co-Ordinator of the group said: “The members of the Bracken Control Group have committed themselves to working together to submit the strongest
possible case for a National Emergency Authorisation for the 2013 season. Recent research by the James Hutton Institute has indicated that without Asulam, the area covered by bracken in the UK would be 50 percent larger than it currently is.
“Given the drastic effects that bracken monocultures have on human and animal health, not to mention reduced agricultural productivity and opportunities for walkers to enjoy our uplands, it is essential that we ensure land managers have the tools to
continue to manage this problem.”